BROCKPORT, N.Y. – The SUNY Potsdam men's hockey team (6-12, 2-7 SUNYAC) took on the College at Brockport (12-5-2, 4-4-2 SUNYAC) in a SUNYAC matchup on Friday night. Despite an outstanding night in net for senior assistant captain Nate Skidmore (Syracuse, N.Y./Buffalo Jr. Sabres), the Bears fell to the Golden Eagles by a score of 3-0.
 
The game started out quickly as the Bears earned their first power play opportunity just over a minute into the first period, but were unable to capitalize. Skidmore stopped a point-blank shorthanded opportunity early in the power play to keep the contest scoreless. At the halfway mark of the first period, the Bears were whistled for their first penalty of the game, but were able to successfully kill off the penalty without giving up a shot on net. With just under five minutes to play in the period, Potsdam returned to the power play, generating more offensive zone time, but could not convert on the man advantage once again. After a scoreless 20 minutes, both teams headed to the locker room with the shots deadlocked at 10 apiece.
 
Brockport controlled the pace of the second period early, outshooting Potsdam 7-2. Seven minutes in, the Bears took consecutive penalties, but kept the Golden Eagles off the board. As the third Potsdam penalty expired, the Bears had their best chance of the game as two penalty killers and the man leaving the box, freshman forward Jack Bloem (Saratoga Springs, N.Y./Connecticut Rangers), entered the zone on a three-on-one break, just barely missing on a backdoor feed. The Bears penalty woes continued, as their fourth penalty of the game came with just over five minutes to play in the period and Brockport finally took advantage. Golden Eagle Jordan Renaud solved Skidmore at 15:56, to take a 1-0 lead on the Eagles' 27th shot of the game. The period ended with the score unchanged.
 
Looking to bounce back, Potsdam hit the ice with good energy and went on the power play for the third time 2:23 into the third period. After some sustained zone time and good puck movement, a Bears turnover at the offensive blue line led to a shorthanded breakaway chance for Brockport. Skidmore continued his solid play and made an outstanding save to keep the deficit to one. After Potsdam was stuck in its own zone for an extended shift, Brockport added to its lead at 7:48 with a goal from Mitchell Parsons. Seconds after the Bears killed their fifth penalty, the Golden Eagles struck for their third goal of the game as Robert Flannery deflected shot from the left point at 1025. With just over three minutes left in the period, the Bears took their sixth penalty. Despite continued pressure, Skidmore kept Brockport from adding to its lead.
 
Skidmore finished the night with 41 saves on 44 shots, while Jake Moore made 23 saves for the shutout win. The Bears went 0-3 on the powerplay, while Brockport finished the night 1-6 on the man advantage. Potsdam is back in action tomorrow night as the Bears head to No. 2 SUNY Geneseo for another SUNYAC matchup at 7 p.m.